Statement of Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States on the Likely Closure of Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co.

(Feb. 23, 2008)--The Wall Street Journal reported today that the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company in Chino, Calif., has announced it is likely to shut down permanently. Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, stated the following:

"Hallmark/Westland's future operations are in jeopardy because its employees engaged in reckless behavior, tormenting crippled cows and providing meat to school children and other Americans that may not have been safe. But the larger issue for The Humane Society of the United States is whether the problems we uncovered are systemic and occur at other slaughter plants around the country. That is the question that the Congress, industry, and consumers must now confront."

-30-

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at humanesociety.org.